The Enduring Allure of Amethyst: A Look at Famous Gemstone Jewelry Throughout History
Amethyst, with its rich purple hue and strong spiritual significance, has been a popular gemstone for jewelry making for centuries. From ancient times to the modern era, amethysts have adorned the fingers, necks, and ears of royalty, celebrities, and everyday people alike.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most famous amethyst jewelry pieces in history and explore their stories.
1. The Dowry of Saint Hildegard
One of the earliest known mentions of amethyst jewelry comes from Saint Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179), a German Benedictine abbess who was also a writer and composer. According to legend, when she was born her parents offered up as part of her dowry an estate that included an amethyst mine. As a result, throughout her life she had access to ample amounts of high-quality amethyst gems which she incorporated into many pieces of jewelry including rings and pendants.
2. Catherine the Great’s Amethyst Tiara
Catherine II (1729-1796), also known as Catherine the Great, was Empress of Russia from 1762 until her death. Her love for jewels is well documented; it’s said that during her reign she acquired more than 30 tiaras alone! One particularly stunning piece is her Amethyst Tiara which features several large deep-purple pear-shaped stones set in silver-topped gold. The tiara is now housed in Moscow’s Kremlin Armory Museum but replicas can be seen on display at various royal palaces around Europe.
3. Queen Victoria’s Amethyst Brooch
Queen Victoria (1819-1901) was another lover of fine jewels who had several notable pieces featuring amethysts in her collection. Among them is a stunning brooch featuring an oval-shaped stone surrounded by diamonds set in yellow gold which she frequently wore pinned to her bodice or collar during formal events. The brooch was later passed down to her granddaughter, Queen Mary, and then to Queen Elizabeth II who still wears it today.
4. Princess Diana’s Amethyst Choker
Princess Diana (1961-1997) was known for her impeccable sense of style and love of jewelry. One piece that stands out in particular is the amethyst choker she wore to a charity auction at Christie’s in New York City just two months before her tragic death. The necklace features 178 carats of oval-cut amethysts set in gold with diamond accents and was designed by Asprey & Garrard. It sold for $605,000 at the auction but has not been seen since.
5. Katy Perry’s Amethyst Engagement Ring
In recent years, amethysts have continued to be a popular choice for engagement rings as they offer an alternative to traditional diamonds while still being durable enough for everyday wear. Singer Katy Perry received a stunning floral-inspired ring featuring an oval-shaped purple stone surrounded by diamonds when actor Orlando Bloom proposed on Valentine’s Day in 2019.
6. Beyoncé’s Amethyst Earrings
Beyoncé is known for making bold fashion statements both on stage and off, so it comes as no surprise that she has been spotted wearing several pieces featuring amethysts over the years including a pair of oversized drop earrings made up of multiple stones set in gold which she wore to the Met Gala in 2016.
7. Angelina Jolie’s Amethyst Necklace
Actress Angelina Jolie also has a soft spot for amethysts; one particularly eye-catching piece is the statement necklace she wore during promotional events for her film “Maleficent” in 2014. The necklace features several large faceted stones set in silver and complemented her black gown perfectly.
8. Elizabeth Taylor’s Amethyst Pendant
No list about famous jewelry would be complete without mention of the late Elizabeth Taylor. The actress was known for her love of diamonds, but she also had several pieces featuring amethysts in her collection including a stunning pendant necklace with a large pear-shaped stone surrounded by smaller diamonds set in platinum which sold for $2.1 million at auction after her death.
In conclusion, amethysts have been beloved by jewelry enthusiasts throughout history and continue to be a popular choice today. From Saint Hildegard’s humble beginnings to Hollywood royalty like Beyoncé and Angelina Jolie, this precious gemstone has proven its versatility and timeless beauty time and time again.